Ga. Gunman Charged in ’01 Mosque Shooting

ATLANTA (AP) — The man accused of killing a volunteer at an Atlanta megachurch was previously charged with shooting a man at a Maryland mosque.

Police documents say Floyd Palmer was working security at a Baltimore mosque in June 2001 when he shot another man working security. The initial police report did not say why Palmer shot the man in the back. Palmer tried to fire the gun again, but it jammed.

Palmer was committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2004 after pleading not criminally responsible. Court records show he was released the next year.

Authorities say Palmer killed 39-year-old Greg McDowell on Wednesday when he walked into a chapel at World Changers Church International and opened fire.